Since becoming Atlético Madrid's manager, Simeone has brought about a complete transformation to the team.
Today, the team has been completely transformed.
This season, Atletico Madrid performed exceptionally well in the league, even surpassing their city rivals Real Madrid and firmly holding second place in the league.
Of course, Barcelona, ranked first, still holds a commanding lead, with a gap of nearly 10 points between the two teams, making it virtually impossible to catch up.
Therefore, everyone knows that winning the La Liga title is an unattainable dream.
However, with the upcoming Europa League, Simeone is filled with fighting spirit and is eager to win the title.
Compared to the fierce competition in the Champions League, the Europa League is relatively less competitive, and Simeone is confident that it will not be difficult for his team to achieve something in this cup competition.
But the primary challenge ahead is how to defeat their formidable opponent – Arsenal.
This Arsenal team is unlike any he's seen in previous years; their revival has been somewhat sudden.
It's that feeling of suddenly standing up abruptly.
Despite his rough-looking appearance, Simeone is anything but careless; on the contrary, he is quite perceptive. Arsenal's 32-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, surpassing Manchester City to become the league leader, is definitely no coincidence.
To study Arsenal, Simeone has been watching Arsenal's matches for several days in a row, and has finally gleaned some useful information from them.
"That goalkeeper is crucial!"
“Antoine, if you want to lead the team to win the Europa League title, you absolutely cannot underestimate the opponents you face next. Don’t underestimate him just because he is young; his achievements have already reached a level that many goalkeepers can only dream of.”
On the last day before the team was scheduled to depart, Simeone called Griezmann into his office for a talk.
Simeone appeared very serious in an effort to make the opposing team take Arsenal's goalkeeper seriously.
Fortunately, as the team's current star player, Griezmann is certainly not an arrogant fool. He has seen Arsenal's defensive system, and the goalkeeper in particular is quite remarkable.
Griezmann nodded to Simone and said, "Boss, don't worry, I know very well what makes this young man different. After all, there are so many precedents to follow. I don't think I'm much better than them."
If you search for Premier League players' opinions on Arsenal's goalkeeper this season, you'll find that many top strikers seem helpless when asked this question.
Kane: "Thunder, I really don't want to run into him. He'll make me unsure how to shoot."
Aguero: "He is a very tough opponent. Although I have scored against him before, I don't like him, I really don't."
Salah: "Not being able to score against him this season is obviously my biggest regret. I will remember this lesson and use it as motivation to improve myself."
Vardy: "Thunder is a respectable opponent. If he comes to Blue Fox, I think we might be able to join forces and create another miracle."
Cavani: "That guy's off to a good end, I don't want to see him! He's definitely not coming back to a small place like Ligue 1!"
...
Look at these once proud peers, they're practically forming an anti-Thunder Alliance. This made Griezmann, who was secretly reading these reports, feel quite uneasy.
He was both looking forward to it and not wanting to meet her; he was in a real dilemma!
Simone had originally intended to temper Griezmann's temper, but he was surprised to see how humble the other man was, which made him somewhat unhappy.
He encouraged him, "Antoine, don't be like this. In my heart, you are the best. No matter what kind of opponent you face, you always find a way to defeat them. I think it will be the same this time. You can definitely do it! Okay, go back and get some rest."
"Uh, okay, I'll head back now."
Watching the other person leave, Simone smacked his lips, feeling a bit bitter.
Is the pressure really that high?
......
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to gather with you all here on this joyous evening. Welcome to the Emirates Stadium for the Europa League semi-final. Let us welcome this spectacular football feast with the warmest applause and cheers!"
The emcee's enthusiastic voice echoed throughout the Emirates Stadium, instantly igniting the atmosphere.
"Tonight, we will witness a clash of titans, our opponent being the formidable Atlético Madrid from the Spanish La Liga!" The host's words ignited the passion of the audience like a torch.
"They are the second-place team in La Liga, while we are the top team in the Premier League! This is not just a clash between the top two teams, but a high-level competition between the Premier League and La Liga!"
The host's voice grew louder and more passionate as he said, "I feel my cells boiling over. Ladies and gentlemen, do you feel the same surge of excitement?"
"Woo-ha!"
The fans in the stadium shouted in unison, their roar sweeping across the entire arena like a surging wave.
They waved flags, jumped around, and released their inner excitement.
As the first leg of the Europa League semi-final, this match undoubtedly attracted the attention of countless people.
The stadium was packed, every seat filled, with people from all over the world glued to their television screens, eagerly anticipating this thrilling match. Everyone wanted to know if Arsenal could continue their magical performance and extend their unbeaten legend.
In this atmosphere, the players were also full of fighting spirit.
They are well aware of the importance of this match, and both teams will obviously go all out to win it.
Griezmann was a little nervous before going on the field, but the moment he stepped onto the pitch, his eyes were filled with no fear, only a burning fighting spirit.
Facing a high-caliber goalkeeper is a kind of self-proving match, isn't it?
With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
The two teams quickly engaged in fierce competition, creating an exceptionally tense and exciting scene.
The atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium grew increasingly intense, with spectators intently watching every move on the field and cheering for their favorite teams.
Shortly after the start of the match, Griezmann had his first chance of the game. However, just as he was about to receive the ball, he clearly heard the opposing goalkeeper shouting: "Mustafi, stay close to his right and don't let him get the ball easily."
right?
Isn't that exactly where I sensed the ball would land?
Just as Griezmann was wondering, he suddenly realized that the best time to adjust had been taken by the opposing defenders, making it difficult for him to regain his position!
In an instant, he lost control of the ball!
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